Inevitable Insomnia in Ibiza

        What can I say about Ibiza (or Eivissa, in the native language, Catalan)? This tiny island is one of the Islas Baleares, surrounded by the Baltic Sea to the north and Mediterranean to the south. It is about 1/5 the area of Rhode Island with a residential population of around 100,000. More than two million tourists visit this Mediterranean nightlife hub annually (Issues, 2013). World-class DJs perform on a regular basis, attracting young partiers from all over the globe. Even the airport hosts the likes of Eric Prydz and David Guetta. We didn't visit until late September (staying only three nights... that's about our limit of 6AM bedtimes) and still encountered more English- than Spanish-speakers.
        And I thought 'touristy' described Benidorm...

Boat party

       With such an expansive tourist impact occurring, one has to wonder how the island handles it all. There are many organizations (governmental and non-gov.) that seek to mitigate some of these impacts, from eco-tourism initiatives to massive clean-up operations throughout tourist season. There is a wide spectrum of opinions on whether or not they're doing a good enough job. Sustainability, however, has many faces, and Ibiza strives to sustain its rich cultural heritage alongside its natural environment. We can't leave out economic sustainability, either, and one certainly cannot address this without noting the considerable revenue tourism has brought Ibiza for decades.

El Capitan

Ibiza shore

        Álvaro and I stayed in the old port town of Sant Antoni, on the other side of the island from the capital harbor, also called Ibiza, A.K.A. Eivissa or Ibiza Town. Sant Antoni may not be the biggest town, but it is not without its own brand of rambunctiousness. If you want to know more, check out this BBC article from 2001 about the well-established controversy over clubbing tourism. We spoke to residents about their opinions of the tourist season, and they were just as varied as the bars and pubs dotting the beach. Some Balearios think most tourists (most notably the English, actually) are rude and impatient. Others welcome all visitors (and their spending money) with open arms and can be found at many of the clubs each night, themselves. Many don't mind the craziness but would like nightlife tourists to be less careless and more aware of their surroundings.

Pryda Frenzy (Eric Prydz and his girlfriend performing at Amnesia)

        Whatever the perspective, Ibiza's infamous marcha remains a reality for awhile yet. One can only hope that the island can find an equilibrium between its worldwide reputation and the people and resources that host it.

Reference:

Issues of Concern (2013). Ibiza Preservation Fund <http://www.ibizapreservationfund.org/english/issues/>